Google Wallet to be blocked by Verizon on Samsung GALAXY Nexus?

While many potential buyers of the Samsung GALAXY Nexus didn't give it a second thought, others figured that they would be buying a device that would probably work with Google Wallet. Like the only other smartphone that supports Google Wallet (the Google Nexus 4G), the GALAXY Nexus will have the necessary NFC chip embedded in the battery door. Unfortunately, Verizon will not allow the first Android 4.0 phone to access Google Wallet.

The reason for this is quite simple. Big Red is one of the companies involved with Google Wallet competitor ISIS, which also uses NFC technology. Others involved with ISIS include manufacturers HTC, LG, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, RIM and Samsung. Other carriers involved are AT&T and T-Mobile. Interestingly, both of those mobile operators offer carrier-branded versions of the Nexus S with NFC capabilities, but like Verizon will allegedly do with the GALAXY Nexus, Google Wallet is blocked from use on those models by each carrier.

So now, we have the ironic situation of a Google app unable to work on a pure Google phone. With AT&T and T-Mobile part of the ISIS family, we wouldn't be too surprised if Google Wallet turns up missing on a future GSM model of the Samsung GALAXY Nexus for those two carriers as well.

Unless Google wants only Sprint to offer phones that can access Google Wallet, some of those involved with ISIS are going to have to start being a little more flexible toward Google Wallet.

The reason why Verizon keeps pulling this crap is because we the consumer allow them to do so. I have no problem with them using ISIS instead of Google Wallet BUT i should still have the option to utilize Google Wallet If I choose.

This what we smartphone customers need to do:
1. DO NOT BUY THE GALAXY NEXUS! Yes that is very extreme and it really saddens me to say it but Verizon needs to see that there customer are sick and tired of having features/apps removed or forced on us.

2. Do not renew your contracts because we all know thats where Verizon really makes the money. If your not in a contract you are free to take your number and YOUR money to another carrier. If we are able to get enough people to either not renew or change carriers maybe just maybe Verizon will see the light.

3. A Class Action Lawsuit against Verizon needs to be started. If i was going to do it i would sue them for a few things:
1. Stop forcing your s**tty apps on us! VZ Nav V Cast Blockbuster etc etc
2. Stop crippling features such as removing the ability for me to turn Sense off on my Thunderbolt.

Now i want to be clear im not anti-Verizon as they do provide me with excellent service but that is no exscuse for screwing around wiht a product that was not broken to begin with!

This is not the Galaxy Nexus that Google intended it to be shame on you Google for allowing such a thing to happen.

Seriously, anyone who's tried out a phone in-store before buying should be well aware of bloatware and manufacturer UIs. It's the price of doing business with the major carriers. They subsidize and provide 2 year warranty replacement of your device in exchange for bloatware, locked bootloaders and crippled features. If you don't like it, don't sign the contract.

roldefol a class action lawsuit is not the best course of action and thats why it was my 3rd choice.

i never said it substantially changes the performance of the phone BUT it would be nice for us to remove any carrier software on the device subsidized or not.

I actually like HTC Sense out of all the UI's available but id like to have the option to try out the stock OS.
Price of doing business is not relevent at least for me because ive puchased 4 out my last 5 phones at retail. I personally have no problem with signing a contract because like i stated Verizon provides me with excellent service and ultimately thats what matters to me.

I'd like to get rid of the useless bloatware on my phone too (NFL Mobile? Let's Golf? Need for Speed? really?) but I know that's part of the Verizon moneymaking scheme. But I don't have any illusions about going stock because let's face it, HTC = Sense. If they gave you the option, it would be just another Android.

Forget best course of action - you can't sue if you haven't suffered any harm.

You're the exception in that you buy your phones retail. Most customers don't, so Verizon will continue to bloat up phones, charge for hotspots, push VZ Nav and Vcast, etc. to boost their profits. People will continue to renew their contracts because they don't want to pay retail. And whether they sign contracts or not, people will continue using Verizon's superior service and paying a premium for it.

Google sold their soul for it. Verizon paid a big moneyhat for Google to ditch Wallet because Verizon and AT&T and T-Mobile are all in on Isis, thye want Isis to succeed and take over credit/debit cards so they can get a cut in every transaction.

With 99% of all manufacturers AND carriers going with ISIS, Google is gonna have a very tough time. If they don't want to allow it in the phone from the start, then it should be added as an app. But carriers have final say.... bottom line. They can say what is on the hardware representing their brand. What's up with ISIS anyways? It's been in the works since before Google Wallet and Wallet is out first. Haven't really heard anything about it recently either.

big red you sadden me. while not many tech savvy consumers may know about google wallet, its the fact that you are choosing to omit this in philosophy to what you are offering as a product. and this my friends is why i hate vzw. not like att is any better though

To be honest with you im not suprised that Verizon would pull this crap. I understand that its not only Verizon that does this but they are by far the worst. I myself will probably never use NFC but if the option is available id like to give it a try and see how it performs.

well all carriers block free tethering, at least all the major ones. you dont get that with tmobile, verizon, at&t either. At least Sprint didnt force a google app to be blocked from the phone or force carrier bloatware on the device.

I wonder why Google decided to sell their soul to Verizon. Both T-Mobile and Sprint were good with keeping the experience pure, as soon as they give Verizon a chance they want to taint and pollute it. If the cell phone users are smart they would boycott, but when you consider the iphone is the most popular smartphone, I dobut that would happen lol.

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